Coast Guard Test Coast Guard Search and Rescue 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In SAR planning, what does 'datum' refer to?
- The most probable location of the search object (Correct answer)
- The rescue boat's fuel level
- The weather forecast
- The radio channel used
Correct answer: The most probable location of the search object
Datum is the estimated most probable position of the search object, used to define the search area.
Question 2: What term describes the drift of a survivor caused by wind and current?
- Leeway and drift (Correct answer)
- Bearing
- Heading
- Draft
Correct answer: Leeway and drift
Leeway (wind effect) and current drift move a survivor from the last known position over time.
Question 3: Which search pattern is a series of parallel tracks covering a rectangular area?
- Parallel track (creeping line) search (Correct answer)
- Expanding square search
- Sector search
- Contour search
Correct answer: Parallel track (creeping line) search
The parallel track search sweeps evenly spaced legs across a rectangular area for uniform coverage.
Question 4: The expanding square search pattern is best used when the datum is what?
- Well-defined and small (Correct answer)
- Completely unknown
- Over land only
- Larger than 500 miles
Correct answer: Well-defined and small
The expanding square works best for a small, well-known datum where the object is likely nearby.
Question 5: What is 'probability of detection' (POD) in a SAR search?
- The likelihood of finding the object if it is in the searched area (Correct answer)
- The chance of bad weather
- The odds the boat runs out of fuel
- The speed of the search unit
Correct answer: The likelihood of finding the object if it is in the searched area
POD estimates how likely searchers are to detect the object given the area was searched.
Question 6: Reduced visibility during a search primarily lowers which factor?
- Probability of detection (Correct answer)
- Vessel fuel capacity
- Radio range
- Crew size
Correct answer: Probability of detection
Poor visibility from fog or darkness reduces the probability of detecting the search object.
Question 7: What does 'sortie' refer to in SAR operations?
- A single dispatch of a search unit (Correct answer)
- A type of life raft
- A distress beacon
- A rescue swimmer's harness
Correct answer: A single dispatch of a search unit
A sortie is one deployment of a search and rescue unit to conduct a search or rescue.
Coast Guard Test Coast Guard Search and Rescue 3
In SAR planning, what does 'datum' refer to?